DIY – the MAD creative

CREATING a FAIRY GARDEN

Post author:Ashley
Post published:July 17, 2017
Post category:KIDS LEARN PLAY
Post comments:2 Comments

Here’s the beauty of a fairy garden: You really can’t mess it up. (Leah’s tried.) Your toddler can basically be in charge of what they do with it and there’s minimal maintenance. We threw two fairy pots together in the Spring and the girls still get enjoyment out of them. I didn’t anticipate the girls to voluntarily nurture and tend to them as they do, but it’s been a pleasant surprise on our many backyard days. Even if they’re just rearranging rocks, trading items from pot to pot, watering, or making mounds of mulch– it’s an activity that is easy, interactive, and keeps them somewhat stationary. Which translates to me sitting nearby, watching them create something they believe to be so magical.

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MYA SPY

Post author:Ashley
Post published:October 4, 2016
Post category:KIDS LEARN PLAY PROJECTS
Post comments:1 Comment

Am I lame for admitting this?: I have a coupon folder. I keep it in my car console and grab ’em as I need them. Another truth is that I seem to only use the ones for Bed Bath and Beyond (because they never expire) and I’m sure I have a hundred of them. I pass them out to other customers as we wait in the check out line. Buuuut other coupons that I appreciate receiving are free 8″x8″ books from Shutterfly. They usually expire before I get around to making one, but not this last time! This time Mya and I had a plan: Mya chose what play things were special to her, we staged them, and she photographed them to make an “I Spy” (or in her case, a “Mya Spy”) book. And I love it so.

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DIY PRAYER BEADS

Post author:Ashley
Post published:June 15, 2016
Post category:KIDS LEARN LOVE PROJECTS
Post comments:2 Comments

It is a smidge bit ridiculous how much I love this little project. From watching Mya intricately color each wooden bead to holding the tangible finished product in my hand, it is something that I will always cherish. I’ve never prayed on a rosary or used any string of beads in prayer, but holding these in my hands somehow makes me feel more focused and connected to my thoughts and thanksgivings.

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DIY SEEK-N-FIND TUBE

Post author:Ashley
Post published:April 6, 2016
Post category:KIDS PLAY PROJECTS
Post comments:0 Comments

Confession: Everytime I was in the Home Depot hardware aisle, I had always wanted a reason to buy this Everbilt clear container. I was quite sure there were endless possibilities for its uses, but it wasn’t until the other day that I finally realized why I desperately needed it: a seek-n-find tube! Every kid needs a seek-n-find tube and this plastic hardware container definitely ups the cool factor.

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“COLOR YOUR HEART OUT!” VALENTINES

Post author:Ashley
Post published:February 10, 2016
Post category:KIDS LOVE
Post comments:0 Comments

On Monday night, my Mama mind blipped and I thought Mya’s Valentines’ Day party was the next morning. Last year we used crayons to make valentines and it was inexpensive and fun. So I did what every other Mom-in-a-jam would do and got on pinterest, specifically searching for a crayon craft. Mya and I raced around the house gathering the needed supplies and I think they turned out pretty cute. And Mya is proud of them which is all that matters to me!

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DIY NUMBER PLAQUE

Post author:Ashley
Post published:February 1, 2016
Post category:HOME KIDS LEARN PROJECTS
Post comments:1 Comment

Never before has the number 4 seemed so much larger than the number 3. Since Leah joined our family unit just over a month ago, I have learned that little projects (or heck– even just the laundry!) are more tedious tasks than ever before. I have never felt more victorious than when I drove in the car with both girls weeks ago by myself to run errands. Extremely exhausted, yet victorious. Today’s errands consisted of two Leah blowouts, Mya constantly needing “more snacks!”, me not being able to collapse a double stroller in the parking lot, two Leah feedings, and a mysterious something sticky all over Mya’s pants… all within an hour and a half. I might never leave the house again. And yet the number 4 has never seemed so beautiful.

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DARBY SMART: DIYs for EVERYONE

Post author:Ashley
Post published:December 12, 2015
Post category:LEARN PLAY PROJECTS
Post comments:0 Comments

DISCLAIMER: This is a sponsored post brought to you by Darby Smart. The opinions are 100% my own.

My least favorite part of any project is gathering all the supplies. Don’t get me wrong– I love the weekly outings to the hardware store, but if it takes me more than one store to gather all supplies needed, the project quickly loses its luster. So when I found out about Darby Smart, a company that offers hundreds of creative craft ideas and then delivers the supplies to your door?… I became a super fan! “Yes, I want to make that. No, I don’t want to drive to three stores to get supplies. Yes, I want it delivered to my door like a spoiled warrior princess.” Enter Darby Smart!

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DIY CANDY GIFT POTS

Post author:Ashley
Post published:December 11, 2015
Post category:LEARN PROJECTS
Post comments:1 Comment

I totally felt like a goober last year when some neighbors came by to drop off cookies for the holidays and I had nothing in return. I know they didn’t expect anything because that’s not what the holidays are all about, but how great would’ve it been to say “Oh! Hold on just a minute! We have something for you too!” Basically, I’m trying to redeem myself from last year… with some tiny clay pots, paint, and candy. And these cute little guys were so easy to make and super economical.

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HOLIDAY CARD WREATH

Post author:Ashley
Post published:December 7, 2015
Post category:HOME LEARN PROJECTS
Post comments:0 Comments

Mya and I love getting snail mail during the week. And since the holiday cards are already starting to come in, it has added even more excitement to her Christmas spirit. It’s also making me realize that some people seriously have their acts together if they’re sending out their holiday cards by early December. That is certainly not the case with us! I gave up on that a long time ago. And we send ours out for Valentines’ Day. Because it takes me that much longer… two more months. Womp womp. But I did want to somehow display everyone else’s cards; and with some already-owned supplies, it was super easy.

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PONY BEAD SUN CATCHERS

Post author:Ashley
Post published:September 27, 2015
Post category:KIDS PLAY PROJECTS
Post comments:4 Comments

With little effort, these turned out pretty cool. I won’t lie, though: They sat on our counter for a good month before I finally sanded them down and drilled a hole in each. But hey, they’re done now and oh so colorful. They’re similar to the perler bead bowls that we did earlier this year, except they’re semi-transparent which makes for some great sun catchers!

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DIY T-SHIRT RUG

Post author:Ashley
Post published:August 28, 2015
Post category:LEARN PROJECTS
Post comments:1 Comment

If you have a lot of old t-shirts and some serious down time, then this project is for you! A couple months ago, you would’ve found me on our living room floor every night– either making t-shirt yarn or crocheting. As it turns out, it’s a very therapeutic, mindless activity that you can do while watching “Million Dollar Listing New York.”

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BASEMENT BUILDOUT : DRYWALL

Post author:Derek
Post published:April 27, 2015
Post category:HOME PROJECTS
Post comments:1 Comment

It’s been a month since we finished framing and hung the drywall for our basement project. We had hoped to be sharing the final outcome with you by now, but the finishing touches have been stuck in idle as we’ve turned our focus to knocking out a few outdoor projects while the weather is nice. So, for a quick project update and to hold you over until we complete the finish work we’ll go ahead and give a glimpse of the new and improved space. Again, we’ve compiled a list of our handiest tools to complete this phase of the project.

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